Rare silent film shown during First Thursday

Subscribers to the First Thursdays series at the Powerhouse in Del Mar viewed a rare silent film with live, musical accompaniment on Feb. 4. The film, "The Curse of Quon Gwon," is the earliest known Chinese-American feature film. It was presented by Mai Lon Gittelsohn, whose family members had roles in the film. Gittelsohn's mother, Violet Wong, starred as the bride.

Judith Rosenberg, music director of the Mills College Dance Department, provided keyboard music to enhance the movie. In 2006, the Library of Congress placed the movie on the National Film Registry.